CINEMA REMEMBERED: Watchmen (2009) and the MEMORIES ON MARS Moment

THIS WEEK: Watchmen (2009). A former superhero group is hunted down and assassinated, one by one. Complex relationships intertwine in a tightly woven introspective mystery.

HOW IT STARTS: Dr. Manhattan brings Silk Spectre to Mars, where she tries to convince him to return to Earth and save the human race.

THE PREFACE: Zack Snyder directs one of the best comic-book adaptions of all time. It’s not just because of Snyder’s hyper visualization–story-boarded by Alan Moore’s comic-book–or because of the most excellent musical choices. WATCHMEN is such a faithful and successful adaption because of its dense subject matter, which somehow remained in tact despite being a big budget Hollywood picture.

Malin Akerman as Silk Spectre

WATCHMEN is intended for adults. Its complex themes, theoretical science, and dark philosophy create a universe based on realism. There’s also intelligent deconstruction on the concept of time. Basically, this comic book flick is complicated, but it’s also well worth your participation. I’m not going to analyze the science of That Moment, I’m here to talk about the emotional experience.

Billy Crudup… mid-transformation

THE SET-UP:Quantum physics = quantum confusion = quantum brain-ache.

Dr. Manhattan was once a scientist studying the intrinsic field, trying to figure out if something besides gravity binds all matter together. After an experiment gone wrong, he transforms into an all-powerful super-being capable of leaping through time, disassembling matter, teleportation, and the quantum ability of being in multiple places at one time. Like he says best, “We’re all puppets. I’m just a puppet who can see the strings.” To put it simple, Manhattan is God-like.

First, a little set-up. Manhattan is confronted during an interview broadcasted on live television. He is told that all those close to him have died from Cancer. Furthermore, he caused it. He loves Silk Spectre (a fellow Watchmen) and knows this could happen to her next. Manhattan is so furious, he yells out in anger, and de-materializes the entire television crew and audience. They’re all instantly vapourized.

Later, after an amazing origin story montage, accompanied by a completely mesmerizing and haunting score (Pruit Igoe and Prophecies), Manhattan teleports Spectre to Mars. He’s abandoned Earth since Spectre ended their relationship. He no longer has any personal connection to our planet; so he abandons us, spending time in isolation on the red planet instead.

Spectre is taken to a large castle-like structure Manhattan has constructed. It suggestively looks like the face of a clock, with hour-glass shapes (especially in the original comic). This structure also resembles a snow-globe castle from Specter’s childhood. This moment examines how an object can hold so much power because of memories.

While on Mars, Spectre must convince Manhattan to return before the Cold War ends with Nuclear Winter and humanity is doomed. She says, “Everyone will die.” He bluntly retorts, “And the Universe will not even notice.” Manhattan basically comes to the conclusion that whatever will happen, has already happened. And there’s no way he can prevent what’s already happened. He says, “It’s always been too late.” Confusing enough?

THAT MOMENT: Manhattan tries to demonstrate the insignificance of humanity to the Universe. He shows Spectre how Mars’ landscape slowly formed over the eons. It’s like a metaphor for memories, which slowly shape us over time, like mountains rising through the ages. In order to better understand one another, the two also hop through time by revisiting pivotal memories. Manhattan knows all, but allows Spectre to arrive at a major revelation on her own.

Their entire conversation is That Moment. Guided by Manhattan, wading through years of memories, the identity of her father is finally revealed to Spectre. She’s so angry that she throws an object (representing her emotionally fuelled memories) at Manhattan’s castle. The unbreakable structure shatters. The only thing powerful enough to destroy it was an emotional memory.

What does a photo mean? It largely depends on the observer.

THAT MOMENT REMEMBERED: I love this sequence so much because it forces us to re-imagine our concept of time, thus re-imagining our concept of life. Whenever we think about the past, we effectively time travel. Our brain doesn’t know the difference.

When Manhattan sits on Mars reflecting on his origin story, he is in 1986. Alternately, he is also in 1959 (meeting his first love), 1966 (arguing with his lover), and 1981 (in a relationship with Spectre). The photo poetically represents our concept of memories. Manhattan is the metaphor for us. We can always relive moments of the past, while we’re stuck in the present. This moment is a beautiful; if melancholic, moment.

In effect, it’s also Spectre’s memory that saves humanity from extinction — a seemingly meaningless moment (from an outside observer’s point of view). It could seem especially meaningless to one who can see the smallest of particles. Manhattan understands the insignificance of humanity to the entire vastly infinite universe. However, Manhattan comes to understand that human life is a miracle itself.

This scene is a moment because we illuminate our understanding through art. This fictional tale examines the human condition. Cinema is an amazing art-form that is rarely utilized to its full potential. This Moment in WATCHMEN lets us think while we’re entertained. This is a comic-book movie, don’t get me wrong. There’s lots of stylish action in here too. However, This Moment stands out because it’s so compelling, more like the stuff reserved for Arthouse Cinema.

I’ve described this moment as spoiler-free as I could. Hopefully, those who’ve seen it connect to this experience and are reminded of how great this Zack Snyder is. For those of you haven’t seen WATCHMEN; well, now you have something to queue on your Netflix account.

David’s Angle: Nice insight, Dan. This movie has a lot of flaws, but the characters are very well-defined and the relationship between Manhattan and Silk Spectre is one of the highlights. This moment on Mars is visually stunning but as you note, also very emotional. I also like Rorschach’s story. Looking forward to next week.

Watchmen grew on me. I hated it the first time I saw it I eventually bought the DVD. My favorite moments in the movie, however, isn’t on Mars but a toss-up between that awesome sex scene with Malin Ackerman and Patrick Wilson and the prison fight that leads up to it. What a sequence!

Thanks for commenting, Arwyn. I love both those scenes as well, for ummm different reasons. Rorshack really steals the show. I adore the Mars moment for what it says about us and the larger concepts of life… in a superhero action flick?!

Have you seen the much longer Director’s Cut? It’s especially good for fans of the comicbook.

I haven’t seen the extended version, or if I have, I wasn’t aware of it. I initially rented it from Netflix and HATED it. But the wretched thing refused to be forgotten, no matter how hard I tried. I’ve written a review of it, but haven’t posted it to my blog yet. You’re right, Rorschach is easily the best character.

James, thanks for commenting… I know eh. Watchmen isn’t for everyone. So dark, dense, complicated, and violent… all on purpose, with introspective reflection (like this moment)… even the style of visuals and music is enough to be totally captivated by.

The extended version digs even deeper, commenting about comicbooks and fantasy informing our reality, etc. It sticks even closer to comic, adapting even the most obscure side story. Check it out, my bluray is Rorshach’s face… not a blue case, his hooded inkblot face… super nerdy

So when are you getting your own tv show? You and the other Dan could discuss and disagree. I don’t remember seeing this movie, do you still have your copy from the store? If you do, I would like to borrow it.

thanks for commenting… hahah us on tv could be dangerous… all those newly “polluted minds”… it would change Hollywood… jokes

But, as far as Watchmen, I have the bluray if you want it tomorrow, but it’s like 4 hour version… i’ll look around for DVD, it’s worth it either way, but regular cut is already like 2.5 hours… and you’ll have to crank it up spinal tap style to 11… like you did with Dark Knight hahaha

Well, I am totally unfamiliar with the comic, so I don’t necessarily feel I was cheated by the version I have. It’s probably not possible to rent the extended cut you’re talking about and I’d rather not buy the movie again. Can you think of any other way I could see the longer version?

It may be available on demand somewhere… there was standalone accompanying cartoon, worked into directors cut, and telling you why it’s animated would ruin it 😉 I think it might be called Tales of Black Freighter…. try YouTube for that… also there is a motion comic version of Watchmen with voice acting if you want the whole story

Thanks, I’ll look it up. I appreciate the tip. Watchmen isn’t a movie with wide appeal but for those to whom it spoke, it was quite powerful. It was more of an anti-comic book movie, if you know what I mean.

Enjoy this article from my weekly column CINEMA REMEMBERED over at THAT MOMENT IN. This week’s edition examines a moment from one of the best comic book movie adaptions THE WATCHMEN. The film is full of complex characters and complex themes.

Aw. You make me blush 😉 it is so cool that years of being nerdy or assuming I was wrong with my analysis changes once I express myself online, with other real movie fans… now I realize I’m not the only one to think this kind of stuff is interesting… I wish I didn’t dismiss the internet for so long…

you thanking me for giving you something to think about, although seemingly quite simple, actually means a lot in this regard… so, thanks, Mel